Permeation-after-impact Properties of CFRP Laminates for Use on Propellant Tank

Abstract

This paper describes the experimental study of impact testing and permeability testing of CFRP laminates for application of propellant tanks considering the reliability of the tank structures associated with foreign object impact damage. Three types of quasi-isotropic laminates with different laminate thickness were prepared and subjected to transverse impact tests, nondestructive inspections, and helium gas permeation tests in series. Transverse impacts induced delaminations, matrix cracking, and fiber breakage, which caused severe through-thickness gas leakage. Effects of impact energy and laminate thickness on the permeation-after-impact properties are discussed, and the critical damage mode controlling the severe gas leakage is identified.

Evaluation of Gas Permeability of CFRP Laminates under Cyclic Loadings

“…Therefore, helium gas leak rates just after the gas supply were recorded. Gas permeation test of specimens under cyclic impacts was conducted following the previous research 9) . Gas permeation was recorded after each impact test.…”

Damage monitoring of polymer-lined carbon fibre-reinforced plastic using small-diameter fibre Bragg grating sensors

“…An important issue related to cryogenic CFRP tanks is the fuel gas leakage that occurs via microscopic damages, such as matrix cracks, fibre/matrix debonding and delamination. 10–16 This intractable problem has spurred the research and development of composite overwrapped pressure vessels (COPVs), such as a non-structural thin liner wrapped with CFRP.…”